Marsha Warfield on Bill Cosby

[TMC]

https://www.lipstickalley.com/thread...cosby.1561720/

https://www.facebook.com/MarshaWarfi...34197033285419

Bill Cosby is guilty, and I am ashamed. Of myself.

Back in the day, Dr. Cosby and I were represented by the same PR firm, different reps.
Anyway, they had a number of high level clients and for years we had a very good relationship.
Through them I met a lot of people I was star-struck by, one of whom was Bill Cosby.

I grew up with Bill Cosby. I don't remember a time without his presence in my world. From variety TV shows to "I Spy" to all his other television shows named some variation of his name to his movies, awards, specials, you name it, he was always there. When he wasn't being featured in the "mainstream" press, he was gracing the pages of Ebony and Jet, with his family, on sets, donating money, going to college, and so much more.

But, it was his albums I loved best. Not the ones about growing up, but the ones featuring his spoofs of then popular music; "Bill Cosby I'd Not Himself These Days, Rat Own, Rat Own, Rat Own" and "Disco Bill" just cracked me up. His movies too, "Uptown Saturday Night" and "Let's Do It Again" were my favorites. His take on what then passed for "thug life" was brilliant, the Mongo Slade gun-as-penis move was not only insightful, but 40 years before today's "ammosexual" observation. Him doing my talk show was one of its highlights and one of my proudest memories. Just because he was there.

So when I got the call that he wanted to meet me, I was thrilled. I was told it was to be a general meeting, he just wanted to talk. I said sure. Was it ever a question?

Then, as my PR guy was leaving, he said to me with a twinkle in his eye, "Just make sure you don't drink anything."

As you can imagine I was confused.

So, he went on to explain that Cos liked to put stiff in women's drinks...and the rest you know.

I was horrified. I asked many times if he was kidding because I couldn't believe he was serious. Especially with the "No big deal" nonchalant way he was describing it.

He went on to say that Cos did it to protect himself and his image because a drugged woman wouldn't remember, and even if she did nobody would believe her.

I told him that what he described was horrible, a terrible thing to do and he should never tell anyone that again.

He reassured me that he had been doing it for years, everybody knew it and again, it was no big deal.

Anyway, I did take the meeting, he did offer me drinks and I did decline them.

We chatted about nothing in particular, then I left.

Shortly thereafter, I parted ways with that PR firm, but not over this issue.

Though I told a few people, I did not speak out publicly.

What would I say, somebody told me something?

After all, I wasn't raped.

I have said that onstage.

"Bill Cosby did not rape me. I wasn't thirsty."

But, I am ashamed that I didn't speak out.

I am ashamed that my desire to "protect" another black person from unfair prosecution in a society all too often all too happy to persecute and even kill them without consideration of innocence or guilt was misguided, misplaced and misapplied.

And I am scared because I know this essay will be judged and people will respond with their own opinions and truths.

And I am pissed that through no fault of my own, this little bit of gossip weighs so heavily on my heart and conscience.

Why am I writing this?

I don't know, but I like to think I've always tried to be honest, even when a bit of reflection shows that to not be true.

But I think I'm being honest now.

I am conflicted.

And I'm ashamed of that.

[Mr. Television]

There you have it. Everybody knew. The Only way Cosby could get away with this was for people to protect him.